help what would u do?

sharlynn · May 15, 2008

I am having difficulty understanding your post.

The biggest problem I see is an 8-4 nurse who spends 2 hrs and 15 or 30 min on breaks! Has this been reported? That is over a quarter of her workday!

Every place I have worked at gives you a half hour lunch if you work over six hours and one 15 minute break for every four hours - PERIOD.

eldragon · May 15, 2008

She should have her duties that she is responsible for, and you should have yours.

There shouldn't be a question of her leaving without signing off on / passing meds that she is required to do on her shift. You aren't responsible for her. Do your work and let her take the fall when she doesn't do what she is scheduled to do.

If your boss lets her slide and/or expects you to cover - then put in your notice and walk. Obviously this job is taking a toll on you mentally and physically, and it's not worth it.

catlynLPN · May 15, 2008

I agree with eldragon. People try to put their work off on me, too, but I do what I'm assigned to do, not what someone else should have done.

I was asked to come in early one day and relieve the nurse early.....because SHE had another job to go to!

When I got there I found that that nurse had actually left at 3pm and another nurse covered for her until I got there.

So this nurse who was covering, didn't do any of the 5pm meds scheduled. She sat on her big fat tush out there at the desk and waited on me to get there at 6pm, which I did.

SHE was responsible for those 5pm meds and I did not give them either. Those were her responsibility, she got there at 3.......she could have had that cart passing those 5pms.

I actually have no idea if they did the 4pms or not.

I refuse to do someone else's work.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · May 15, 2008

I work 5:30a-6p 3 days/wk, and my 3-11 nurse ALWAYS seems to have a "crisis" going so she "can't" do this, or that, or whatever. I helped her out for a couple of days until I realized she's just lazy and doesn't want to be responsible for anything. She even tried to pawn off one of her residents who was having coffee-ground emesis on me, because she was soooooo busy! Tough. I very simply stated that I had my own work to do and if she felt she couldn't handle her workload, to call the on-call for the evening, and off I skipped. Turns out, she let that poor man go until 11-7 arrived and had HER send him out! Stand your ground, and don't do her work, too. If her meds don't get passed, after awhile (hopefully a short one) she will be replaced with someone who will actually do their job.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · May 15, 2008

I know what it is like to need the job but to be too sick to do the job. So, please understand when I say, you need to quit, get well, and seek another job when you are well. This nurse and the supervisor is taking advantage of your inexperience. You need to decide to do your work and not cover for the other nurse. If there is a problem, then give notice and walk. Do not keep making yourself sick over a situation you cannot change. Good luck.

Big Smurf2007 · May 16, 2008

hi all--thank you for the advice. i have been out all this week b/c sickness... thyroid again....virus..... whatever it is.... been to md yesterday....maybe things will be ok.. i have not been to the don about it b/c i dont want to stir up t hings. she is close tot the lpn charge and the lpn charge used to run my hall and do all that for the back hall8-*4. i know if i go to her then it will get to lpn charge and then to 8-4 nur and will cause probs. i dont like confrintation/sitrring trouble yet am tired of things. i dont wnat to be in trouble for not doing the meds when she doesnt. i mean, if she does leave at 4-430 and 5ps dont get done , that is on my head right>? as for the smoke breaks there was another nurse doing the same as the 8-*4 and i was told yest by a nurse friend i work with that the don was monitoring things now. as for the sep duties ... yes i agree. i have my part of hall, u have yours and whatever happens we both tag team the biggies.... i just dont know........ but thank u to all with the advice.... :cry:

CapeCodMermaid, RN · May 17, 2008

I agree with eldragon. People try to put their work off on me, too, but I do what I'm assigned to do, not what someone else should have done.
I was asked to come in early one day and relieve the nurse early.....because SHE had another job to go to!
When I got there I found that that nurse had actually left at 3pm and another nurse covered for her until I got there.
So this nurse who was covering, didn't do any of the 5pm meds scheduled. She sat on her big fat tush out there at the desk and waited on me to get there at 6pm, which I did.
SHE was responsible for those 5pm meds and I did not give them either. Those were her responsibility, she got there at 3.......she could have had that cart passing those 5pms.
I actually have no idea if they did the 4pms or not.
I refuse to do someone else's work.

So the residents suffered because YOU copped an attitude and wouldn't give meds because you didn't think it was your responsibility? I'm glad you don't work for me.

eldragon · May 17, 2008

So the residents suffered because YOU copped an attitude and wouldn't give meds because you didn't think it was your responsibility? I'm glad you don't work for me.

If she didn't start until 6, how can you expect her to give the meds due before her shift?

The residents suffer because of poor staffing and bad hiring practices.

I pass meds on the day shift (7-3) but if I see holes in the MARS from when the night shift worked before me, I don't give the patient the meds. How would I know that the nurse didn't give the meds and just didn't sign the MARS?

I'm responsible for my shift, my patients. That's all I can do.

Big Smurf2007 · May 17, 2008

well - got call from charge yesterday and was told don had already replaced me for this wknd and that she would talk to me my next shift ( this wed). i think i should just call night charge tonite and quit. thanks for all the advice. :cry:

ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN · May 22, 2008

What is the med time policy for your state?

Ohio is one hour before and one hour after the stated time. So if I have a 9am pill to give, I can give it as early as 8am but no later than 10am to be in compliance with the state policy (and yes, state WILL get us on not being compliant!).

If your state has a similar policy and she leaves at 4, she can't be passing 5:30/6pm pills because of compliance issues.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · May 22, 2008

What is the med time policy for your state?
Ohio is one hour before and one hour after the stated time. So if I have a 9am pill to give, I can give it as early as 8am but no later than 10am to be in compliance with the state policy (and yes, state WILL get us on not being compliant!).
If your state has a similar policy and she leaves at 4, she can't be passing 5:30/6pm pills because of compliance issues.

My state,and contrary to popular thought it is not the state of confusion but the even more than normally regulated state of Massachusetts, has the same rules. One hour before and one hour after the scheduled time. That said, if staffing is an issue or the residents don't want to take their meds then, change the times. Once a day is once a day. It hardly matters clinically if most meds are given at 8,9, 10 or 2 for that matter. With culture change and patient centered care slowly making inroads into the archaic way we've been doing things, we can hope that the regimented 9 1 5 9 med times go the way of the dinosaur and reusable syringes.